US video game sales continued to decline in August
2009 has not been a good year for video games here in the US. While console sales were up significantly compared to July, August marked the sixth consecutive month in which industry sales have declined year-over-year. According to numbers recently released by NPD Group, overall gaming sales were down 16 percent YoY despite positive sequential growth for each major console other than the Sony PlayStation 2. Accessory sales were up 2 percent but game sales were down 15 percent and console sales dropped a massive 25 percent. Of note, PS3 sales in August were up over 72 percent compared to July’s numbers (121,800) thanks to a recent price drop. Here’s how August hardware sales break down:
- Nintendo DS: 552,900
- Nintendo Wii: 277,400
- Microsoft Xbox: 215,400
- Sony PlayStation 3: 210,000
- Sony PSP: 140,300
- Sony PlayStation 2: 105,900
As far as game titles, EA’s Madden NFL 2010 for Xbox 360 was the highest-selling game in August with 928,000 copies sold, followed by Wii Sports Resort for the Wii (754,000) and then EA’s Madden NFL 2010 for PS3 (665,000). Square Enix’s Batman: Arkham Asylum took both the four and five spots, having sold 303,000 copies for the Xbox 360 and 290,000 copies for PS3.
It’s great to hear the PS3 is doing better. They should have a strong finish around the end of the year.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Tempe Arizona, USA
I laughed at that image until I realized that you could just as easily replace video games with literature, movies, music, or any other form of art. But then what are you left with?
Going to get Batman today. The demo was awesome.
I would love to buy more games but depending on the platform games can cost as much as $60.00 or more new. I think unless its a real hot game people are just renting,sharing,buying used,or whatever Plus with youtube and all the game blogs people who would take a chance on a game may not because of a comment or review buy someone else.
Is this really that much of a surprise?? The consoles have all been out for a significant amount of time… and most of the people that are going to buy one have already done so.
The life cycles of this generation of consoles is a lot longer than what we have seen in the past… so i don’t think its surprising to see that eventually sales will begin to drop off (especially in this economy.)
Most interesting part of the article…
106,000 people bought PS2s in August
Seriously? This whole thing has been a joke. It should be OBVIOUS that gaming sales have declines this summer. There hasn’t been but ONE quality game (Batman Arkham Asylum) released all summer. The quality of the games dictates the number of sales. When Modern Warfare 2, Halo ODST and Bioshock 2 come out, sales will climb again. Consumers aren’t going to spend money on poorly reviewed and lackluster games. These reports have been a joke.
@Chris who said:
“It should be OBVIOUS that gaming sales have declines this summer.”
Try reading the post again, this time with your glasses on. Yes, game sales slow in the summer. That’s why Barron’s and in turn BGR is looking at YoY numbers. Year over year, as in August 2009 vs August 2008. It’s not like they’re comparing the dead of summer 2009 to Xmas week 2008 or something…
@El Bastardo who said:
“Year over year, as in August 2009 vs August 2008. It’s not like they’re comparing the dead of summer 2009 to Xmas week 2008 or something…”
Try looking at the games released in the summer of 2008 compared to the summer of 2009. I’m trying to say that THIS particular summer there have been less than stellar games released. I don’t have poor reading comprehension skills. I really don’t see why you had to resort to personal attacks.
I’ll save you the wasted time and energy El Bastardo. I’ll name a few examples.
Summer of 2008:
May 28th – Mass Effect (PC)
May 30th – GRID (Cross Platform)
June 3rd – Ninja Gaiden 2 (Xbox 360)
June 12th – MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
June 13th – Civilization Revolution (Cross Platform)
June 22nd – Rock Band (Wii)
June 23rd – Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3 / Xbox 360)
June 29th – Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Cross Platform)
July 3rd – Unreal Tournament 3 (Xbox 360)
July 8th – Devil May Cry 4 (PC)
July 24th – Wario Land: Shake It (Wii)
July 29th – Soulcalibur IV (PS3 / Xbox 360)
August 13th – Madden 09 (Cross Platform)
August 21st – Ratchet & Clank Future (PS3)
August 26th – Tiger Woods 09 (Cross Platform)
August 31st – Mercenaries 2 (Cross Platform)
That’s just from May through August. Sure, there’s games you and I probably didn’t like nor were interested in. Regardless, they were bigger releases than the majority of games this summer. Hence, more sales in games.
Alright, I admit I stopped reading your comment after the line I quoted so I didn’t take the rest of it into account in my reply. I retract my comment – my bad!
No problem! I’m new around these parts. It’s nothing personal. Have a great weekend
w00t w00t i PlAyEd mY WIi a LOt oVEr THe lAsT MONtH bUt MY m0m WOnt BuY Me ANy GAmEs RIGht noW sO thAt SuX. i AM SavInG uP tO BUy HAlO tHoUgH w00t w00t
Honestly, I wish the whole internet worked like this.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Also, don’t forget that ipod touch & better gomes on your phone are available. I don’t have a console, but many games on my phone… My 2cents…
Square Enix’s Batman Arkham Asylum? Yea I know, but it still doesn’t sound right.
It’s true and should be quite obvious as it’s been since the beginning of console gaming that the summer season affects sales. DUH!!!! Also take into account here in the US and around the world the global recession we’re in…..AND the fact that console games are OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE. I suspect the Christmas holiday season will produce better numbers but not by much.
I’m curious whether Xbox Live games are included with the games sold. Granted they aren’t physical games, but I’m sure they’re doing quite well for the cost.
Arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics. Even if you win, you’re still retarded.
Because. It. Is. Not. Game. Season.
Check figures again in a month.
That’s very sad. Maybe that’s the primary reason why other video game companies keep on updating their games to afloat in this industry. Like what Blizzard is doing for WoW, have you heard or read about Cataclysm? Check this out: http://www.qwesz.com/internet-articles/how-to-make-the-most-of-world-of-warcraft-cataclysm.html
I believe that this decline in video games sales is related to the recession. PEOPLE DON’T HAVE MONEY- As a result they are turning to other activities. I don’t feel that sales are down because less quality games are being produced, maybe the video game industry climaxed in 2008 and now gamers are moving on to other things. Maybe they are reading books, or even excerising instead of investing in a time consuming activity that really isn’t very productive. All it does is waste time and money, and as the saying goes, “Time is Money.”
All great things must come to an end. Happend to every great civilization throught time, what says that it cannot happen to indusries as well. (i.e. American car industry fell apart)
Well the “price drop” of console is great but, who in the hell want to pay 50-80 bucks a game that’s ridiculous! i would love to have a PS3 & XboX 360 as the next guy but the sad realty is people just cant afford it anymore.